Music holds a worldwide appeal, its melodies capable of stirring emotions, unlocking memories, and forging connections across cultures and abilities. Beyond entertainment, music serves as a powerful therapeutic tool, increasingly integrated into patient care within U.S. hospitals and treatment centers.

Allison Shiach, a certified music therapist practicing at Health Sciences Center, embodies this innovative approach to healthcare. She describes the essence of her work: Music therapy is like a parent sneaking vegetables into their child’s smoothie. There are therapeutic goals in the context of a human relationship using music,which is generally enjoyed,relatable,and accessible.

Shiach underscores the multifaceted benefits of music therapy, including its ability to foster socialization, promote relaxation, enhance coping mechanisms, reduce anxiety, and provide a creative avenue for self-expression and confidence-building. this holistic approach resonates deeply in an habitat where patients frequently enough experience a lack of control.

A Day in the Life of a Music Therapist

Armed with her guitar, an array of percussion instruments, art supplies, and songbooks, Shiach traverses the hospital, bringing musical solace to diverse patient populations. she primarily conducts group therapy sessions, supporting adults in mental health and addictions units, and also adolescents in the eating disorders program. Her sessions offer a unique opportunity for healing through the transformative power of music.

Shiach’s own musical background, rooted in classical piano, vocal training, and festival performances, paved the way for her career in music therapy. This lifelong passion, coupled with specialized education and training, makes her uniquely qualified to guide patients on their healing journeys.

She highlights the efficiency of music therapy,stating: Music activates both sides of the brain and is a tool that allows us to connect with others pretty quickly. As of that, we’re able to see positive results in a short amount of time which is helpful in acute care. She emphasizes the personalized nature of each session: Each session will look different and is based on who attends and where they’re at in their healing journey.

The Deeper Meaning of connection

Shiach emphasizes that the core of music therapy lies in fostering connection and comfort, providing socialization, and offering a welcome distraction for patients grappling with illness and isolation.

The word I always come back to, working for many years with different populations, is connection, and in that, growth, she explains. “Music therapy isn’t a concert or a musician visiting and just playing music; there’s so much more happening under the surface than what it may appear.”

A typical session might involve guided meditation with soothing piano music, followed by journaling. In other sessions,patients can request songs from any era,sing along,and express themselves through musical and expressive arts.

The impact on patients is profound.When a patient, who normally doesn’t engage, comes out of their room and participates in group and smiles, that’s pretty rewarding. The best moments have been those connections and the gratitude expressed by patients, shiach recounts. I’ve had someone say to me, this group is the only thing in my life at this moment that makes me want to keep going – music is pretty powerful.

Diverse Applications of Music Therapy

shiach employs a wide array of techniques, from songwriting and lyric analysis to active music-making and improvisation, ensuring inclusivity and allowing patients to engage at their own comfort level.

You don’t have to be musically inclined in any way, music is the tool to connect and is an accessible way for people to heal, she asserts.

In the treatment of child and adolescent eating disorders,Shiach uses patient-curated playlists to provide support during challenging mealtimes. These playlists serve as a distraction from intrusive thoughts, evoke positive memories, and foster positive feelings.

Often, achieving the group or individual’s goal organically happens outside of the session, Shiach notes. The effects and benefits of music therapy percolate further than the 45 minutes we have in a group.Staff might then get to see a different side to their patient, in a new light, and those benefits trickle out into the unit and can positively impact staff and the environment as a whole too. There’s a full range of possibilities when we introduce music and connection as medium to help heal.

Music Therapy in the U.S.: A Growing Trend

While Shiach’s work is based out of Canada, the U.S. has seen a notable rise in the adoption of music therapy. Hospitals like the Cleveland Clinic and Mayo Clinic now offer complete music therapy programs.These programs address various needs, including pain management, emotional support for cancer patients, and rehabilitation for stroke victims.

A recent study by the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA) found that 83% of surveyed healthcare facilities in the U.S. offer music therapy services, marking a substantial increase over the past decade. This growth reflects a growing recognition of the positive impact music can have on patient outcomes. For example, memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre in New York City integrates music therapy to help patients manage anxiety and pain during chemotherapy.

Moreover, music therapy is increasingly recognized by insurance companies. While full coverage remains a challenge, some plans offer partial reimbursement, especially for patients with specific conditions like autism or dementia. The AMTA is actively working to expand insurance coverage for music therapy nationwide.

Weighing the Counterpoints

While the benefits of music therapy are well-documented, some skepticism remains. A common counterargument questions the scientific rigor of music therapy research, suggesting that the observed benefits might potentially be attributable to placebo effects or other confounding variables.

Though, proponents of music therapy emphasize that the field is undergoing continuous scientific advancement. Researchers are employing more refined methodologies, including randomized controlled trials and neuroimaging techniques, to investigate the mechanisms underlying music’s therapeutic effects. studies using fMRI, such as, have demonstrated that music activates specific brain regions associated with emotion regulation, pain perception, and motor control.

Another argument suggests that music therapy is a costly and time-consuming intervention. However, music therapists contend that the benefits justify the investment, particularly when compared to the costs associated with prolonged hospital stays, medication use, and other conventional treatments. Music therapy can complement existing medical interventions and potentially reduce the overall burden on the healthcare system.

The Future of Music Therapy

As awareness of its therapeutic potential grows, music therapy is poised to play an increasingly prominent role in U.S. healthcare. With ongoing research,advocacy efforts,and the dedication of practitioners like Allison Shiach,the future of music therapy appears shining.

The power of music to heal, connect, and transform lives is undeniable. As Shiach so eloquently puts it, music is pretty powerful.